Only 35% PGI doctors on National Digital Health Mission portal

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 15

The Health Department has asked the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) to ensure 100 per cent registration of its doctors National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) portal.

The department has pointed out that only 35 per cent of its doctors are registered on the NDHM portal and that it is below the optimal target. The healthcare professionals enrolling on this portal will be able to treat patient remotely through telemedicine and it will also enable patients to have direct access with verified doctors.

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) will empower the onboard healthcare professionals onto India’s digital health ecosystem and connects patients to healthcare providers or vice versa with last mile coverage.

A letter was written to Director, PGIMER from Director of Health and Family Welfare, Chandigarh, which states, “In our recent review meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) level, it was desired that registration of doctors on NDHM portal has not been achieved up to optimum level in UT, Chandigarh. One of the identified reasons have been that only 35 percent of doctors of PGIMER have been registered on the NDHM so far.”

“It is desired that your institute take required action towards completion of 100 per cent registration of your doctors of your institute,” asked the DHS, while adding that this task may be treated on high priority and should be completed in short period.

The registration of doctors on the portal will increase their discoverability by the patients and the doctors can have consented access to electronic medical records with seamless retrieval.

At the same time, patients are required to create their digital health ID that will allow them to access and share their health data with participating healthcare providers. The coverage of health IDs by the residents of Chandigarh is also very poor as only 35.7 per cent population of the city has been covered under the Central Government’s project of making digital health cards for the citizens. 

Authorities told to increase enrolment

• A letter to Director, PGIMER, from Director of Health and Family Welfare, Chandigarh, states, “In our recent review meeting at the Home Ministry level, it was found that registration of doctors on NDHM portal has not been achieved up to optimum level in UT, Chandigarh. It is desired that your institute take required action towards completion of 100 per cent registration of your doctors.”
• The healthcare professionals enrolling on this portal will be able to treat patient remotely through telemedicine and it will also enable patients to have direct access to verified doctors.